The regular deer hunting season (firearms) for the Southern Zone kicked off last weekend and hunters are contacting me and sending photos of their harvests. I've received a number of photos and heard some great stories. Keep it up.

Meanwhjile, three groups are hoping that hunters will think of them when deciding what to do this season with their deer hides and venison that they don't want.

DEER HIDES

The Camillus Elks Club is once again collecting raw deer hides from hunters.

The hides will be cleaned and salted by members of the club and then sold to a tannery. Proceeds from the hides collected will be used to buy incidentals for the disabled or sick veterans at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Syracuse.

Donated hides may be dropped off at the lodge at 6117 Newport Road, Camillus.

"Since the hides deteriorate rapidly, do this as soon as possible," said Bob Maraio, a Camillus club member who is in charge of the effort. Deterioration is more rapid if a plastic bag without holes is used," he said. "We recommend a cardboard box. In any case, time is of the essence. Several hides are usually discarded each year as unacceptable by the tanner."

For more, call 672-3106.

The Affiliated Conservation Clubs of Madison County is also collecting deer hides this year.

Steve Wratten, president of the group, said the county Board of Supervisors, which helps fund the Affilated Conservation Clubs of Madison County, is cutting back on its annual contribution.

As a result, the county's clubs, which sponsors a number of programs (hunter safety, scholarships for students, scholarships for summer camp programs, etc.) has decided to collect deer hides to make up for the budget shortfall.

Wratten said his group covers 15 clubs and each one has a representative in charge of collecting hides from his or her immediate area. To find out where to donate, call 684-1068 or 824-2415.

VENISON DONATION

Many hunters savor the venison they get from harvesting a deer each year. Others give it away to family and friends.

Hunters can also donate it to the Venison Donation Coalition program, which has a list of local processors that cooperate with the program. Regardless of the cut of meat, the venison is ground up into hamburger and given to the Food Bank of Central New York for distribution to local food pantries.

Interesting in donating? Check out the coalition website at venisondonation.org. for a meat processor near you.